abraham woodhull son thomas abraham woodhull son thomas

I knew I had to do this for our family. Colonel John Graves Simcoe, commander of the Loyalist Queens American Rangers, promptly launched a raid to grab the spy. He died in 1835. We strive for accuracy and fairness.If you see something that doesn't look right,contact us! His fears were eased when Woodhull sent him a report in November 1778 that provided almost exact figures of British troop strength in New York. For the first few years of the Revolution, Continental Army leaders preferred to sneak operatives into British territory where they skulked around for a few days, acquired information, and then slipped back out through the lines to report to American commanders. In the summer of 1778, the need arose for a Rebel spy network in New York City, the site of the British Armys continental headquarters. Woodhull was portrayed from 2014 to 2017 by Jamie Bell in AMC's spy thriller and historical drama series Turn: Washington's Spies, which was based on Washington's Spies: The Story of America's First Spy Ring (2007) by Alexander Rose. Historica Wiki is a FANDOM Games Community. Local orchard owner Lucas Brewster was blamed for the poisoning, and he was arrested. Documents answer this question positively without doubt. He died a lonely man in 1838. 2022-07-02. Ken, I absolutely agree with your outlook. Anna found out about the duel from Simcoe and warned Richard Woodhull, and the two headed to stop the duel. I saw an old friend today. Eventually operating from Underhills boarding house, Woodhull so successfully played the part of a loyal but inquisitive farmer that he gained all of the information he needed, and more. The Culper intelligence allowed Washington to arrange countermoves, and the episode was one of the Rings greatest successes. But there can be no doubt of Woodhulls dedication. Was Abraham Woodhulls father a loyalist? It's possible it was incorrectly annotated. Still, the fact is that little hipster Sprouts outfit IS several years ahead of his time, according to the historical record. . They were immigrants from the Ukraine. From Brewster, the intelligence would be passed on to Major Tallmadge, then to General Washingtons desk. [5] According to some reports, he had been deprived of medical care and food and suffered an agonizing death on September 20, 1776,[2] and Abraham Woodhull was inflamed against the British by that event. [19], But on the heels of this victory came a threat to their security. When you are that man, I want nothing more than a future for you where you are able to live, love and be free. Aliased Samuel Culper, Jr., Townsend gave Woodhull a reliable source within the city itself, and made his job much easier. Devoutly religious, he founded a missionary school in 1817, and was known to be sharply critical of the institution of slavery. Over time, he began to fear for his safety, and Benjamin Tallmadges reports to Washington reflect Woodhulls growing timidity. Abraham Woodhull was born on October 7th 1750 in Setauket, New York, on Long Island. (His very appearance is a bit of a chronological anomaly, but we'll discuss that later.) Not two months had passed, however, when Washington needed their services again. His father was a judge, and he was a cousin of Nathaniel Woodhull, leader of a New York Patriot . In the encounter, Woodhull won a coin toss and was allowed to draw first blood, but his shot missed Simcoe. Also, if you havent seen the preview for next Sundays episode yet, you can view it here. Yes, a gown, as in a dress. Sometimes boys even wore stays, too. [14] Culper to Bolton, June 5, 1779, GW Papers, accessed March 29, 2014 via http://memory.loc.gov (second letter dated June 5). He is most notable for leading the British side in the Battle of Setauket. [14] Like Woodhull, Townsend played the part of a devoted Loyalist but he was a secret Patriot who had served briefly as a commissary to General Nathaniel Woodhull, Abrahams cousin. The British responded to this by disarming all of the citizens, and when Benjamin Tallmadge's father Benjamin Tallmadge, Sr. greeted the British as a hostile person when turning in his gun, he was suspected. In addition, the Culper Ring likely helped prevent a British attack against French forces that had arrived in Rhode Island to assist the colonists. The war is raging now, and General Washington has been driven out of York City and the Royal Army has taken over there. Adorable outfit hes wearing, right? The loss of his cousin deeply affected Woodhull, who was a somewhat introspective, sensitive character, and he secretly hated the British for what he believed was his cousins unnecessarily brutal demise. [21] Carl Van Doren, Secret History of the American Revolution: An Account of the Conspiracies of Benedict Arnold and Numerous Others, Drawn from the Secret Service Papers of the British Headquarters in North America, now for the First Time Examined and Made Public (Garden City, NY, Garden City Publishing, 1941), 380. He discovered that anyone traveling into the city was at exceptional risk of being detained and searched by British authorities, but that married couples almost always were not. [18] John Bolton to Washington, May 8, 1780, GW Papers, accessed April 19, 2014, via http://memory.loc.gov. Woodhull was essentially the leader of the Culper Spy Ring, deciding what information was transmitted throughout the group, which would eventually make its way to George Washington. However, I have come across letters that have the sympathetic stain across entire pages. Senaste mnen. Woodhull served as a lieutenant in the Suffolk County, New York, militia in the fall of 1775 but resigned after a few months. Woodhull became one of Washingtons best spies, knowing all the while that he was one step away from a noose. The two of them spent a moment together before Abraham found out that Major Hewlett's horse Bucephalus had been poisoned through his apples, and Captain Simcoe blamed the poisoning on rebel sympathizers. [23] Woodhulls expense report submitted in July was the final curtain on his clandestine service.[24]. Son: Thomas 'Sprout' Woodhull: General Information. Rose, Alexander. Abraham Woodhull (October 7, 1750 - January 23, 1826) was a leading member of the Culper Spy Ring in New York City and Setauket, New York, during the American Revolutionary War. Im glad that you all enjoyed the article, and great points from SPM and Ken. Woodhull told Anna to raise a black petticoat on her clothing line to signal Tallmadge's courier, and it turned out to be Caleb Brewster. ae 53 years and 1 day Abraham Thomas was the son of Nicholas Thomas (1753-1838) and his first wife, Lucy Somes (1759-1792). What struck me is the summary of the June 1777, I agree, and checked my source before submitting. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. It was Brewsters job to sail across the Sound, retrieve Woodhulls communications from their hiding spot, and return the missives to Tallmadge in Rebel-held Connecticut. Change). He filed his last intelligence report, not written in code but still signed with the alias Samuel Culper, on February 21, 1783, while the British planned the wars closing act, the evacuation of New York City. In one incident, a Tory privateer named John Wolsey reported a rumor that Woodhull was spying for the Continental Army. Abe married Mary, and soon had a son named Thomas. There is nothing I love more than watching you in your crib, but tonight I am wide awake, alone with my thoughts, unable to rest as dark intentions keep my mind preoccupied. In Manhattan, he collected information from various sources, including British officers staying at the Underhill boarding house and then return to Setauket, where he passed the information to the Continental Army lieutenant and whaleboat operator Caleb Brewster to take across Long Island Sound to Tallmadge. After collecting the messages, Woodhull waited for signals from his neighbor and fellow conspirator, Anna Strong, who communicated by hanging specific laundry out on her line. [16] Washington to Tallmadge, October 6 1779, Writings of George Washington, Vol. It was believed that Nathaniel Woodhull had been captured and brutalized by the British, and died a miserable death. He had recently married Mary Smith, and was afraid of putting his family at undue risk. Woodhull was a descendant of Richard Lawrence Woodhull, a wealthy settler of Setauket, and was also related to New York militia Brigadier General Nathaniel Woodhull. With Jamie Bell, Seth Numrich, Daniel Henshall, Meegan Warner. Your email address will not be published. However, his rowboat was pulled in by a ship at night while he was headed for New York, and he was told that he was being arrested by the Continental Congress for smuggling. The tactic was sometimes effective but the information often lacked the detail, accuracy and timeliness that Washington needed. [13] Culper to John Bolton, June 5, 1779, GW Papers, accessed March 29, 2014 via http://memory.loc.gov; Rose, Washingtons Spies, 129. He did not immediately take up arms or begin spying, however, and was more placid than some of his friends, who joined the Continental Army at the outset of the war. The killer was discovered to be loyalist John Robeson, and Rogers decided to use a dead redcoat as a scapegoat while employing Robeson as his eyes and ears in Setauket. An ancillary benefit of reading the non-transcribed document, at least with some writers, is the unbelievable penmanship of some. Washington was impressed: His account has the appearance of a very distinct and good one and makes me desirous of a continuance of his correspondence, he wrote. This week I was reviewing Muster, Payrolls and List of Effectives for Capt Gross Scruggs company of the Fifth Virginia. If Woodhull and Townsend were exhausted they remained dedicated and efficient. P.S. But Tallmadge secured Woodhulls continued service and gave him a new tool for his trade a vial of disappearing ink, which would lessen the chance of their letters, if ever confiscated, being identified as intelligence reports. The 100 Best American Revolution Books of All Time, Perspectives on the Ten Crucial Days of the Revolution, This Week on Dispatches: Gene Procknow on Ethan Allen and Revolutionary-Era Newspapers. Abraham Woodhull was born to Richard Woodhull and . You put your tiny little hand on my leg and tried to take your first shaky steps. Brewster told Woodhull that his encounter with him in Connecticut was the first part of the test to see if Woodhull was fit to join the patriots, and Tallmadge's interrogation was the second part of the test. I am wondering, however, about the timing of Mr. So yes, if you were to time-travel back to the era of the American Revolution, you might very well see a young six-year-old boy wearing stays and a gown. Thanks for pointing this out!! Abraham, however, was nowhere to be found- he had left for New York the previous day. He attempted to stay out of the war, and he smuggled cabbage for his family after their harvest in the autumn of 1776 proved to be insufficient due to maggots eating up his crops. Even after resigning he sent seven more letters about British activities. Robert Rogers, (born Nov. 7, 1731, Methuen, Mass. Abraham and Anna spending time together in Anna's barn. He thus enlisted the aid of Anna Strong, the wife of Selah Strong, a tavern keeper who was jailed aboard a British prison ship when the Culper Ring was formed. Possibly after testing his old friends allegiance, Tallmadge probably dropped his bomb; it was he who secured his early release from Governor Trumbull, and would Woodhull be willing to spy for the American cause? Woodhull planted a false letter from John Andre on him, saying that Andre had no interest in a farmer's services, but he was garroted by Robert Rogers, who told him that he was going to work for him. Journal of the American Revolution is the leading source of knowledge about the American Revolution and Founding Era. Rogers followed Woodhull to his secret hideout in the basement of his burnt-down farm, and Woodhull was told that he had to work with Rogers to get revenge on Andre before Rogers would kill him. Woodhull later returned to his home, only to find his wife confronting him after she found out about his spy involvement. Biography Richard Woodhull was born in 1712 in Setauket, New York. Creator: Thomas R. Bayles Identifier: aql:14389 trb-000045 trb-000045.tif. Still dedicated to his mission, in June Woodhull expanded the operation by recruiting 25 year-old Robert Townsend, a former lodger at the Underhill boarding house, as an additional agent. For the first few years of a childs life in the late 18th century, regardless of gender, he or she would wear a gown, a loose-fitting garment that could be tied, pinned, or buttoned shut. http://www.britishbattles.com/battle-monmouth.htm, https://spycurious.wordpress.com/2015/04/27/lieutenant-colonel-richard-hewlett-the-loyal-est-loyalist/, http://www.longislandsurnames.com/getperson.php?personID=I0519&tree=Woodhull, https://allthingsliberty.com/2014/05/abraham-woodhull-the-spy-named-samuel-culper/. List of American Revolutionary War battles, Turn: Washington's Spies official site entries. Abraham enlisted in a Suffolk County militia in the fall of 1775, but he resigned after a few months; his cousin Brigadier-General Nathaniel Woodhull was killed by the British while in their prison on 20 September 1776, when he was killed with bayonets. [2], Woodhull was to be a new type of American spy. Fifth generation from Richard Woodhull, the original grantee of a large portion of Brookhaven Town. Abraham's wife Mary convinced him that he had to shoot the courier, Corporal Eastin (the man who had been sent to escort Woodhull to New York previously), and not kill Hewlett as he had planned to do. Woodhull was thereby able to locate and relay messages to whale boat captain Caleb Brewster, who then delivered them to Tallmadge. He hardly ever spoke of his work as a spy. [4] He was motivated by the murder of his cousin Brigadier General Nathaniel Woodhull of the New York militia, who was wounded by sword and bayonet cuts after he had been captured on August 29, 1776. Woodhull wrote, I received their threats for coming there that made me almost tremble knowing my situation and business.[1] His statement only hinted at what he inwardly knew; that if the soldiers discovered his espionage mission, they would have hanged him without compunction. In late July the agents reported that the British knew about the expected fleet and were moving naval forces to counter a planned French attack on Rhode Island. (LogOut/ http://allthingsliberty.com/2014/03/james-rivington-kings-printer-patriot-spy/. [9] Culper to Scott, October 31, 1778, GW Papers, accessed January 26, 2014, via http://memory.loc.gov. He was killed while putting down a riot at King's College. Now Tallmadge wore the uniform of a major in the Second Continental Dragoons. Woodhull began spying for the Continental Army in late 1778, as part of the Culper Spy Ring. Major Edmund Hewlett was in fact named Richard Hewlett, and he was actually married during the entirety of the war, and he and his wife had eleven children; there is no evidence of a relationship between him and Anna Strong either. Townsend may have dabbled in journalism himself, which gave him a perfect excuse to spend long hours picking up information. Woodhull was mildly supportive of the American cause, and the closest he came to the rebellion was an uneventful two months in his county militia. Tallmadge and his commander, Brig. I have a family photo of my grandmother and her siblings in the early 20th century, and her youngest brother is in a gown. But how do you read the non-transcribed Samuel Culper John Bolton GW Papers via http://memory.loc.gov? Early on, Woodhull had urged General Scott to destroy every letter after reading for fear of some unforeseen accident that may befall you and the letter get into the enemies hands and probably find me out and take me before I have any warning.[9] A month later Tallmadge told Washington that Woodhull used extreme caution and even timidity.[10] Woodhull particularly hated traveling the 50 miles to New York City because every trip put him at risk of questioning and discovery at military checkpoints. The job was not without its risks, though, and Woodhull cut it close on many occasions. His first intelligence in October addressed British troop strengths and their shortages in provisions. In AMCs drama TURN: Washingtons Spies, we follow Abraham Woodhull and company as they play a cunning game of deceit and trickery to gather intelligence for the Continental Army in the American War for Independence. Im no expert on deciphering such documents, but have found that understanding the language of the time and subject matter is helpful. They have taken over everything, using brute force and the heels of their boots to make their presence known. Did Abraham Woodhull have a son named Thomas? Startled, Woodhull sprang to his feet and snatched up his writing paper, breaking the vial of special ink on the floor. They likely discussed Woodhulls activities trading with the British. This trend lasted way beyond that period, too. Theyre both economical and practical, especially for a large middle or working-class family. Woodhull was forced to work by himself, and he attempted to plant evidence for Major Hewlett so that it would appear as if he had made a discovery of some of the Sons of Liberty's activities. Makes me feel resentful, though, at our Long Island schools. [23] Culper to Tallmadge, February 21, 1783, GW Papers, accessed April 27 2014 via http://memory.loc.gov. In this case, I could understand the rationale behind breeching little Thomas several years early in TURN. Austin Roe became the main courier for the ring later after Woodhull stopped going to New York City to gather intelligence personally. However, he was arrested by British troops and thrown in prison by Inspector-General Joseph Innes, who believed that he was spying for the rebels. In addition, Abrahams cousin, Nathaniel Woodhull, a general in the Continental Army, had perished in the Battle of Long Island in 1776. Woodhull turned out to be a very effective spy, and his reports were uncannily accurate. Change), You are commenting using your Facebook account. As I write this letter you are upstairs in your mothers arms, sleeping peacefully. Benjamin Tallmadge became a wealthy investor, and in 1801 was elected to Congress. Woodhull was secretly engaged to Anna Strong in 1773 before his brother Thomas, a soldier in the British Army, was killed while quelling a protest at King's College and his father decided to marry him to his brother's fiancee Mary, leading to Abraham and Anna parting. Certainly they had an emotional reunion and talked about the rebellion. Journal of the American Revolution also produces annual hardcover volumes, a branded book series, and the podcast, Dispatches. He was the son of a prominent judge who supported colonial independence. That is why I am doing this, Sprout. A farmer and the son of a local Patriot judge, Abraham Woodhull joined the Culper ring in November of 1778. It was then that I knew I could no longer remain idle in this war. That he has gone so far beyond his promise makes me rather uneasy on his account.[17] And the ever-frugal general often testily reminded his spies not to waste the expensive disappearing ink and to find ways to communicate their intelligence faster. Working together, Woodhull and Townsend warned Washington about British activities as the 1779 campaign developed and they discovered British plans to wreck American finances by counterfeiting Continental currency. JMS you are correct as with any untranscribed 18th century documents, reading and understading the Culper letters is a tough task. In early 1779 it took about a week for Woodhulls letters to reach Washington, which was a substantial improvement to the pre-Culper Ring espionage efforts in New York City. So interesting. The intelligence would then be retrieved by a certain boatman named Caleb Brewster, who was a lieutenant in the Continental Army. Abraham told Anna that he was fighting for freedom and confronted her about their true beliefs, and she told him that she wanted her husband. Bantam, 2014. ), American frontier soldier who raised and commanded a militia force, known as Rogerss Rangers, which won wide repute during the French and Indian War (175463). Our work has been featured by the New York Times, TIME magazine, History Channel, Discovery Channel, Smithsonian, Mental Floss, NPR, and more. Woodhull passed on information that he had learned from his father's meeting with Major Edmund Hewlett to discuss the exoneration of Abraham from his role as a murder suspect; he had found a letter with a coded message that stated that the British under John Graves Simcoe would raid a patriot safehouse in Meigs Harbor, Connecticut. Brother of Mary (Woodhull) Arthur and . 2022-07-02. There is much more to the story of the Culper Ring and intelligence activities in and around New York City. Washington sent Caleb Brewster out to Setauket to notify Woodhull of the situation. Woodhull returned to Anna and told him of this, and Anna told him that Selah had died of dysentery on the Jersey two months earlier; however, Robert Rogers had bribed the captain of the ship to say that Selah had died and that Samuel Tallmadge, Benjamin Tallmadge's deceased brother, was the one who survived. Basing his operation in his British-occupied hometown of Setauket, New York, Woodhull enlists the aid of local tavern keeper Anna Strong to ferry crucial intelligence to their friends in the Continental Army, Caleb Brewster and Benjamin Tallmadge, who in turn bring the intelligence to General George Washington himself. If you are interested in working with us or have a great story, please get in touch. I knew I had to do this for you. Continental Army Major Benjamin Tallmadge was Woodhull's neighbor in Setauket and approached Woodhull in August 1778 about gathering intelligence for the Patriot cause during the American Revolutionary War. Husband of Anna Maria Brewster; Hannah Skidmore and Charity A. Smith. [12] Tallmadge to Washington, April 21, 1779, GW Papers, accessed March 29, 2014 via http://memory.loc.gov; Rose, Washingtons Spies, 128. Abraham Woodhull is the American's lone productive spy in 1777 New York, but did we see a glimpse of his bloody fate? Yet, in my research, I have not discovered any documents linking them to him, other than their anxieties you mentioned. 16, accessed April 19 2014 via http://etext.virginia.edu. [U.S.]died May 18, 1795, London, Eng. Townsend stole and cooked the two brown eggs, serving them to Woodhull when he returned to the inn after nearly leaving the city. Washingtons Spies: The Story of Americas First Spy Ring. Little Thomas Woodhull, whom Abraham fondly calls Sprout, steals the spotlight at the beginning and end of the TURN pilot episode. General Washington had often been frustrated by the exaggerated figures that he had received from spies in the past, and expected more of the same from Woodhull. Captain Thomas Woodhull (1746 - 1773) was a British Army officer who served in the King's Militia, the son of Richard Woodhull and Rebecca Woodhull and the brother of Abraham Woodhull. As depicted in the show, Abraham Woodhull was a cabbage farmer. Abraham Woodhull - the 'Culper' of the Culper Ring. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. Additionally, you can browse through a slideshow of primary source images concerning children and babies over at the 18th Century Material Culture Resource Center. He operated under the alias, Samuel Culper and his identity was not learned until the early 20th century. Setauket Presbyterian Church and Burial Ground, Washington's Spies: The Story of America's First Spy Ring, Intelligence operations in the American Revolutionary War, "Grave Stones and Epitaphs from the Churchyard", "TCA: AMC Picks Up 'Halt & Catch Fire' & 'Turn' To Series", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Abraham_Woodhull&oldid=1135483720, Jesse Smith Woodhull, Mary Woodhull, Elizabeth Woodhull, "Samuel Culper" and then "Samuel Culper Sr.", This page was last edited on 24 January 2023, at 23:13. To protect their identities Tallmadge assigned aliases for their correspondence; Tallmadge went by John Bolton and Woodhull used the name Samuel Culper. It was the beginning of what became known as the Culper Ring., Woodhull was good at the espionage business. Neither man recorded the details of their meeting but we can make some inferences by the result.